Isis bomb attack on London foiled after would-be terrorists asked Twitter for advice

A couple that plotted an apparent ISIS suicide bombing in London were caught after asking Twitter for advice on the best way to approach their plans.

Going by the Twitter name ‘Silent Bomber’, Mohammed Reham, 25, and his wife Sana Ahmed Khan, 24, allegedly stockpiled chemicals and bomb-making equipment in the lead up to the proposed attack.

The pair came undone after Rehman used the Twitter account to ask his followers:

“Westfield shopping centre or London underground? Any advice would be appreciated greatly.”

The account which used a profile picture of ‘Jihadi John’ was swiftly picked up by counter-terrorism agencies who immediately began to monitor the activities of the couple, before arresting them 16 days later.

Police found ‘substantial quantities of chemical and bomb-making wherewithal’ at upon arresting the couple at their home in Reading, Berks.

Tony Badenoch QC told jurors at the Old Bailey:

“The evidence suggests that the London Underground may well have been on his mind as a potential target as Mohammed Rehman was particularly fixated with the events of 7/7 and he referred to Shezad Tanweer, one of the 7/7 bombers as his ‘beloved predecessor.”

“They [Rehman and Khan] shared a common interest – violent and extreme Islamic ideology and its methods of impacting upon the Western world.”

The pair deny charges of preparation for terrorist acts and Rehman denies a second charge of possession of articles for terrorist purposes.

Before the trial the judge reminded the jurors not to be swayed by the recent Paris terror attacks while considering their verdicts. Stressing: “Those events in Paris are totally separate from the events in this case. Please put those events on Friday in Paris to one side."